In Plain Sight
USA | Release Date: June 1, 2008
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
56
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews
Positive:
6
Mixed:
11
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
Newark Star-LedgerAlan Sepinwall
Season 1 Review: In Plain Sight is a definite for any summer TV To-Watch list; don't cross it off until you've seen at least one. Read full review
80
New York Daily NewsDavid Hinckley
Season 1 Review: Mary doesn't win 'em all, but In Plain Sight is a W for USA. Read full review
75
Entertainment WeeklyKen Tucker
Season 1 Review: The plots are often unbelievable. But I like Mary, especially as she's set up in the series premiere, complete with a wacky mom. Read full review
70
Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob Owen
Season 1 Review: Unlike "Monk," which is essentially warmed-over "Columbo" with a more interesting character in the lead, In Plain Sight augments its plain premise with a full cast of colorful characters. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesRobert Lloyd
Season 1 Review: The plots are a little obvious--you can usually stay a jump or two ahead of the revelations--but the actors keep you well distracted. Read full review
70
Washington PostTom Shales
Season 1 Review: The plot and subplots of the premiere eventually deteriorate into pandemonium, but McCormack remains the steadying center that makes the show intelligible and, more important, involving. And, perhaps more important still, fun. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineMatt Roush
Season 1 Review: The show is entertaining enough on the job that it doesn’t need so-called comic relief. Read full review
60
The New York TimesAlessandra Stanley
Season 1 Review: This latest hardboiled-but-dedicated babe with a badge follows all the clichés of the genre but knows it and will find ways to twist the formula in novel, interesting ways. Read full review
60
PopMattersMichael Abernethy
Season 1 Review: With this shaded tone and careful plotting going for it, In Plain Sight is a welcome addition to USA’s line-up of detective shows. Especially when it keeps focused on the new places and new identities, rather than the old memories. Read full review
50
Philadelphia Daily NewsEllen Gray
Season 1 Review: McCormack, a rangy actress who looks more comfortable in Mary Shannon's tank tops and casual jackets than she ever did in the lawyerly business suits she wore way back on "Murder One," manages to make all this crankiness intermittently endearing. Read full review
50
New York PostLinda Stasi
Season 1 Review: It's all a bit ridiculous and the writing is scary, although the stars are first rate and the locales are pretty good too. Read full review
50
USA TodayRobert Bianco
Season 1 Review: The writers overplay the banter and allow Mary to become so harsh, you wonder why even the most devoted partner puts up with her. But for the most part, as long as McCormack and Weller are together, or sharing time with their boss (Paul Ben-Victor), the show functions as harmless hot-weather pleasure. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleTim Goodman
Season 1 Review: In Plain Sight, in addition to some of the worst character names you'll ever see, has deeper problems in the writing. Read full review
50
Philadelphia InquirerJonathan Storm
Season 1 Review: In Plain Sight may not offer the newest characters on the block, but they're diverting, and at least they can spell. Read full review
40
Chicago TribuneMaureen Ryan
Season 1 Review: In Plain Sight is another attempt at mixing the jokey and the serious within a loose procedural format. But Sight’s writing is distressingly predictable, and McCormack’s character is the least interesting thing about the show. Read full review
40
The Hollywood ReporterBarry Garron
Season 1 Review: Apart from its New Mexico setting and its witness protection angle, little stands out here. Stories are less than suspenseful and characters are mainly two-dimensional. Read full review
40
Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert
Season 1 Review: Ultimately, that episode leaves only a vague sense of the rich territory that In Plain Sight could have explored with better writing. Read full review
30
VarietyBrian Lowry
Season 1 Review: Balancing comedy and drama within this sort of framework requires a delicate touch, and precious little about In Plain Sight achieves that equilibrium. Read full review
30
L.A. WeeklyRobert Abele
Season 1 Review: In Plain Sight already seems tired with its crime-of-the-week, flawed-protagonist self. Read full review
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